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The Enzymatic Activity And Inhibition Of Dape Encoded N-Succinyl-L,L-Diaminopimelic Acid Dessucinylase, Tahirah Heath

Dissertations

The bacterial enzyme DapE is a hydrolase in the late stage of the mDAP/lysine biosynthetic pathway that catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelic acid (L,L-SDAP) to succinic acid and L,L-diaminopimelate (DAP). The product DAP is ultimately converted to m-DAP and then to lysine which is used in the construction of proteins, whereas for humans, lysine is an essential amino acid obtained through diet. DapE has been shown to be conserved across many strains of bacteria. The m-DAP produced through the succinylase pathway is used by both gram negative and gram-positive bacteria in the construction of the essential peptidoglycan cell wall. Because …

Uncovering The Mechanisms Underlying The Immunogenicity Of Adenovirus Vaccine Vectors, Natalie Nidetz

Dissertations

Vaccination is historically the most effective tool for preventing infectious disease but current vaccine strategies fail to generate robust immunity to major infectious diseases such as HIV and malaria. Therefore, newer vaccine approaches are needed. Vaccines generated from viral, adenovirus based, vectors (AdVs) have proven highly immunogenic in multiple disease models. However, the clinical use of many AdVs is limited by the presence of pre-existing antibodies in human populations, which prevent expression of antigenic genes during immunization with AdVs based on common adenovirus (Ad) serotypes, such as HAdV-5C. Immunization with rare serotype based AdVs, such as HAdV-28D, are not affected …

Graduate Catalog 2018-2019, Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Graduate Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Constructing Scientific Knowledge: The Understanding Of The Slow Virus, 1898-1976, Burke Hood Dial

Theses and Dissertations

Scrapie is the ovine form of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The understanding of scrapie as a slow viral disease was developed through an international scientific dialogue during the first half of the twentieth century. British investigators used epidemiological and experimental observations to define its very long incubation period before the appearance of symptoms. This enabled French researchers to prove scrapie could be transmitted from sick to healthy animals and allowed them to define the etiological agent as an ultramicroscopic, filterable virus. Following this, an Icelandic scientist, Björn Sigurdsson, investigated two other ovine diseases characterized by unusually long periods between contracting …

A Sociofunctional Approach To Understanding Transphobia, Linas Mitchell

Master's Theses

Despite widespread evidence of anti-transgender prejudice and discrimination, research has yet to determine the nature of prejudice against transgender people. This study used the sociofunctional threat approach (Cottrell & Neuberg, 2005) to examine threat perceptions (contamination threats, obstacle threats, physical safety threats, and threats to reciprocity relations) and emotional reactions (disgust, anger, fear, pity) to transgender (transgender women, transgender men, and nonbinary people) and cisgender (cisgender women, cisgender men, and bisexual people) targets. Results from an online survey suggest that transgender targets evoke higher threat perceptions and negative emotions than cisgender targets; additionally, this tended to be the case for …

Surveying Host Innate Immune Responses To Interferon Antagonist-Deficient Murine Coronaviruses, Aaron Brian Volk

Master's Theses

Two coronaviruses (CoVs)—severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) virus—have emerged in the 21st century from animal reservoirs into the human population, each causing an epidemic associated with significant disease and mortality. CoV epidemics are currently only controllable by rigorous public health measures; no targeted therapeutics or vaccines exist to treat or prevent any human CoV infection. One method of generating attenuated CoV strains to be studied as vaccine candidates involves specifically disrupting CoV-encoded interferon (IFN) antagonists, thereby rendering the virus vulnerable to host innate antiviral immunity. Deubiquitinating (DUB) activity encoded within CoV nonstructural protein …

Characterizing Immune Response To Hiv-1 Infection In Bicd2-Knockout Cells, Omar Abdel-Rahim

Master's Theses

An important part of the HIV-1 infection cycle is the attachment of the intracellular viral core to the host microtubule network, facilitated by attachment of the viral capsid to cargo adaptor proteins. One such cargo adaptor is Bicaudal D Homolog Protein 2 (BICD2). BICD2 can attach to both the HIV-1 capsid and the dynein/dynactin complex and facilitate the trafficking of the viral core towards the host nucleus. Removal of BICD2 can disrupt this viral translocation, resulting in an elevated immune response that impairs productive HIV-1 infection. In my research, we investigated what viral particles are detected in the absence of …

Investigating Autophagy, Extracellular Vesicles, And Glycobiology, Benjamin Cook

Master's Theses

Autophagy is a cellular process of degradation which degrades cellular materials in acidic organelles called lysosomes. Impairment of lysosomal degradation can lead to lysosomal storage disorders such as Parkinson's Disease. In Parkinson's Disease neurotoxic α-synuclein can spread from cell-to-cell via extracellular vesicles. We investigated the changes in extra vesicular glycans upon perturbation of autophagy using a class of glycan binding molecules termed lectins.

We found that upon induction of autophagy causes EV glycans to increase while others remained consistent. Additionally, we found that specific glycans are increased more than others. Conversely, when lysosomal degradation was impaired, we observed a decrease …

Induction Of Zika Virus-Specific Cd8+ T Cells By Means Of Dna Vaccine, Frank Gambino Jr.

Master's Theses

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a member of the virus family flaviviridae and is transmitted via Aedes aegypti mosquitos. Monoclonal antibodies against dengue virus have been found to cross-react with ZIKV but show no ability to neutralize it. Further studies have shown that Stat2-/- mice given plasma from dengue positive donors exhibit a heightened disease phenotype when challenged with ZIKV. Antibody dependent enhancement is theorized to cause such effect. The goal of this study was to design a plasmid which, when encoded, creates an antigen that will be used to stimulate exclusively CD8+ T cells. The gene sequence of NS3 was …

Cell Intrinsic Characteristics Of Cord Blood Naive Cd4 T Cells, Taylor Keller

Master's Theses

The neonatal immune system is functionally distinct from the adult immune system. Neonatal immune responses are less reactive than their adult counterparts, and as such, have an increased susceptibility to infection, resulting in increased duration and severity of disease. There is evidence that T-cells are partially responsible for the observed immunological differences between neonates and adults. Murine studies on neonatal immunity suggest that Th2 like responses predominate the neonatal immune system, an observation not found in the adult immune system. However, studies on human cord blood revealed that human neonates do not exhibit elevated Th2 like cytokines (with the exception …

The Characterization Of Rna Content And Biogenesis Pathways Of Extracellular Vesicles That Have Been Implicated In The Pathogenesis Of Hiv-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders, Virginia Elizabeth Zwikelmaier

Master's Theses

Patients infected with HIV-1 adhering to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) still suffer from a variety of neurocognitive, behavioral, and motor dysfunctions, collectively referred to has HIV-1 Associated Neurocognitive Disorders (HAND). Current research suggests the manifestations of HAND might in part be due to the dissemination of toxic HIV-1 components throughout the brain via extracellular vesicles (EVs). Our goal is to characterize these pathogenic EVs to begin to gain a better understanding of this EV-mediated pathology.

We took the first steps in developing a technique to assess the microRNA content of individual EVs but it needs to be heavily optimized to eliminate …

Lidocaine Attenuates An Induced Inflammatory Response, Stephanie Zack

Master's Theses

Inflammation is common to the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Therapeutics which can regulate and reduce damaging inflammation are therefore valuable in the treatment of inflammation and inflammatory diseases.

One commonly used analgesic, recently identified as limiting inflammation, is lidocaine. Additionally, alternative, less toxic therapeutics like the snake venom peptides, Zep 3 and Zep 4, are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. Yet a well-defined mechanism or cellular target for lidocaine or Zep peptides' anti-inflammatory effects has not been proposed.

We aimed to determine whether lidocaine and Zep peptides reduce the release of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, from activated human …

Racism, Resistance, Resilience: Chronically Ill African American Women’S Experiences Navigating A Changing Healthcare System, Elizabeth New

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

This medical anthropology dissertation is an intersectional study of the illness experiences of African-American women living with the chronic autoimmune syndrome systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus. Research was conducted in Memphis, Tennessee from 2013 to 2015, with the aim of examining the healthcare resources available to working poor and working class women using public sector healthcare programs to meet their primary care needs. This project focuses on resources available through Tennessee’s privatized public sector healthcare system, TennCare, during the first phases of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). A critical medical anthropological analysis is used …

Gender, Sexuality, And Categories Of Risk: Physician Views Of Cervical Cancer In Bangalore, India, Emily G. Capilouto

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

India has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer morbidity and mortality globally. Despite this, there are no national or state-wide screening efforts for cervical cancer and its prevention in India. In an effort to understand the magnitude of cervical cancer in Bangalore, India, this research draws upon data collected in hospital contexts over a month-long period to explore the ways in which physician attitudes contribute to understandings of cervical cancer and its prevention in the growing urban context of Bangalore.

Variation Of Native American Ceramics In The Big Bend Region Of The Lower Ocmulgee River Valley, Georgia, Ad 1540 To Ad 1715, Rachel Paige Hensler

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

Studies of European colonialism in the Western Hemisphere have shifted focus from areas of direct European/Native American contact, to investigate Native American groups outside of direct European contact. During Spanish colonization of the Southeastern United States (AD 1520 to AD 1715), the Big Bend region of the Ocmulgee River Valley, in Georgia, located about 160 kilometers from Spanish occupied coast, was inhabited by a Native American polity from the Late Prehistoric into the Mission period. This location is ideal for studying indirect contact.

Changes in ceramic production can be used to identify changes in Native American interaction through time. Attributes …

Development Of Simple Devices For Point-Of-Care Screening Of Bacterial Infection And Inflammatory Markers, Julaluk Noiphung

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

A paper-based analytical devices (PADs) provides a great benefit in medical diagnostics, especially in the developing world. The first part of this dissertation describes the effect of sample viscosity on PADs for the measurement of pH and nitrite concentration in human saliva. Preliminary study found that viscosity had a significant effect on the calibration curve of nitrite and a consistent curve could be generated after added washing buffer. Nitrite measurement in artificial saliva with viscosity 1.87-5.10 mPa-s was tested on the proposed device and also showed a good correlation with the standard spectrophotometry method (p=0.8484, paired sample t-test, n=20). Moreover, …

Functional Characterization Of White Spot Syndrome Virus-Responsive Mir-750 In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon, Nichaphat Kanoksinwuttipong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the RNA interference (RNAi) process, small RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by acting as guides to direct Argonaute (Ago)-containing RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISCs) to targeted mRNAs. The Penaeus monodon miR-750 was previously reported as the highly upregulated miRNA during white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection. In this study, the computational program and 2D gel electrophoresis technique were used to identify miR-750 target genes. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that the predicted target mRNAs of miR-750 were ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 Q1 gene (UbcQ1), Actin1 (Act1) and Sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein (Scp). Furthermore, the alteration of protein expression in the stomach …

Identification And Functional Characterization Of Genes And Micrornas From Penaeus Vannamei In Response To Pathogens And Heat Stress, Pakpoom Boonchuen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

In the present day, high-throughput (HT) sequencing techniques provide in-depth data on how the transcripts are expressed and regulated and in this case shed light on how innate immunity responds to different stimuli. Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticusproducing Pir toxin (VPAHPND) is a current severe bacterial disease in shrimp. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hepatopancreas and hemocyte of VPAHPND-challengedPenaeus vannamei. The hemocyaninand Vago5 were found as up-regulated genes in hepatopancreas and hemocyte of VPAHPND-infectedP. vannamei, respectively. Their functions in shrimp immunity against VPAHPNDinfection were then characterized. The native …

Functional Characterization Of Inhibitor Of Kappa B Kinase In Black Tiger Shrimp Penaeus Monodon Antiviral Signaling Pathway, Zittipong Nhnhkorn

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The IKK-NF-κB signaling cascade is one of the crucial responsive mechanisms in inflammatory and immune responses. The key kinase proteins called inhibitor of kappa B kinases (IKKs) serve as the core elements involved in cascade activation. Here, the complete open reading frames of IKK homologs including PmIKKβ, PmIKKε1 and PmIKKε2, from the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon were identified and characterized for their functions in shrimp antiviral responses. The PmIKK transcripts were widely expressed in various examined tissues and the PmIKKε protein was detected in all three types of shrimp hemocytes. Only the PmIKKε1 and PmIKKε2 were responsive to white …

The Role Of Cytokine Response Signatures In The Pathogenesis Of Leptospirosis Associated Acute Kidney Injury, Nattachai Srisawat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is one of the most serious complications of leptospirosis, an important zoonosis in the tropics. Host pathogen interaction is one of the potential key factor in development of leptospirosis associated AKI. In this multicenter study, we aimed to study the association of cytokines, leptospiral burden, and anti-leptospira antibody and AKI in leptospirosis. Method: In the first cohort, patients who presented with clinical suspiciousness of leptospirosis were prospectively enrolled in 9 centers from August 2012 to November 2014. In the second cohort, we prospectively recruited patients from 15 centers from February 2016 to July 2017. The …

Molecular Epidemiology And Characterization Of Rotavirus Group A, Group C And Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus In Pigs With Gastroenteritis Among The Commercial Swine Farms In Thailand, 2011-2016, Supansa Tuanthap

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The most frequent viruses associated with pig gastroenteritis have been previously reported as porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) and rotavirus (RV). Rotavirus is an important cause of diarrhea in piglets and pigs worldwide, and group A (RVA) and group C (RVC) are mostly affected. In Thailand, studies on RVA and PEDV have been reported periodically, whereas information on RVC is still limited. In this study, 769 samples (fecal and intestinal content) from pigs with diarrhea were collected from pig herds located in difference provinces throughout Thailand between 2011 and 2016. The specimens were tested using virus-specific RT-PCR to detect the …

Detection Of Sulfonamide Residues By Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry, Surased Suraritdechachai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Sulfonamide antibiotics are commonly used veterinary drugs in livestock to prevent or treat infectious diseases. Their residues in food are of concern since they can cause adverse health effects and development of bacterial resistance. In this work, a practical method for detection and quantification of sulfamethazine, one of sulfonamide antibiotics, in pig body fluid samples is developed via the combination of simple extraction and paper spray mass spectrometry. The method required minimal sample preparation and low analysis time while providing high sensitivity and accuracies in pig whole blood (LOD = 10.1 ng/mL, %recovery = 95.4-104.1%), pig serum (LOD = 4.6 …

Adverse Events Of Antiretroviral Prophylaxis Regimen For Elimination And Prevention Of Mother-To-Child Transmission Among Hiv-Exposed Infants, Suvaporn Anugulruengkitt

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Triple-drug antiretroviral prophylaxis of zidovudine (ZDV)/lamivudine (3TC)/nevirapine (NVP) for high risk HIV-exposed neonates is recommended within the Thai national program. However, there are limited data about the safety and drug concentration achieved with this regimen initiated at birth.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the safety of this triple drug neonatal prophylaxis regimen and to describe nevirapine concentration levels during the first 4 weeks of life.
Methods: A prospective cohort of HIV-exposed infants was conducted at 5 clinical sites in Thailand. We enrolled 100 high-risk HIV-exposed neonates (maternal HIV RNA >50 copies/mL prior to delivery or received antiretroviral therapy …

Neurodevelopmental And Neurobehavioral Outcomes In Early Antiretroviral Treated Young Children With Perinatally-Acquired Hiv Infection (Phiv) Compared To Age-Matched Perinatally Hiv-Exposed Uninfected Children (Pheu), Watsamon Jantarabenjakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Introduction: Although early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in perinatally HIV infected (PHIV) infants significantly reduces morbidity and mortality, neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral problems are still issues of concern. Objectives: This study aims primarily to compare neurodevelopmental outcomes and neurobehavioral outcomes between PHIV children who initiated ART within 12 months of life and perinatally HIV-exposed uninfected (PHEU) children. The secondary aims are to assess the outcomes by timing of ART initiation and to delineate factors and predictors associated with neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes. Methods: This study was a prospective observational study which enrolled PHIV and PHEU children aged 12-56 months. Neurodevelopmental …

Acclimatization And Application Of Biofilters For Nitrogen Removal In Marine Recirculating Shrimp Culture System, Penpicha Satanwat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research involved in the complete nitrogen removal in marine recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) through sequential nitrification and denitrification processes using internal biofilter within a single tank. The study was divided into two experimental parts. The first study was to estimate the effects of salinity (5, 15 and 25 PSU) and stocking density (50 and 100 shrimp m-2) on nitrification and denitrification efficiencies, as well as on microbial diversity in the biofilm. Also, the nitrogen removal efficiencies of fibrous BiocordTM biofilter and Japanese filter mat were compared. Results showed that the nitrification was stimulated in low-salinity (5 PSU) system with …

Caring For Patients With Drug Use Disorders In Yangon Region, Myanmar : Socioeconomic And Psychological Burden And Coping Strategies, Khin Zar Khaing Thein

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Drug use disorders are considered chronic illnesses, like other severe mental disorders, and caregivers of drug users face a large impact on various aspects of their life. However, there is shortage of research in Myanmar about caregivers' experiences with caring for patients with drug use disorders. This mixed method study, therefore, aims at exploring the socioeconomic and psychological burden caregivers carry, the coping strategies they employ, as well as the barriers to coping they face. The results of the framework analysis revealed that financial loss, productivity loss, social limitation and negative impact on family members are important dimensions of socioeconomic …

Characterization Of Leptospiral Extracellular Vesicles In Stress Conditions, Eakalak Phanchamnan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Pathogenic Leptospira spp. is a causative agent of leptospirosis, a worldwide zoonosis with public health concern especially in the urban slum of metropolis and rural areas in tropical and subtropical countries. The pathogenesis of leptospirosis remains elusive. Extracellular vesicles (ECVs), which pinch off from the bacterial membranes, simultaneously harbor multiple active molecules that may serve as a secretion system, communication tool, and vaccine candidates. Recently, chemically induced leptospiral ECVs were studied and used as vaccine candidates. However, the naturally produced leptospiral ECVs has not been characterized. This study aimed to identify proteins in leptospiral ECVs produced under stress conditions including …

The Role Of Histone Methylation Of H3k4 In Polarization Of Macrophages Stimulated By Immune Complex And Lipopolysaccharide And Its Therapeutic Potential In Sepsis, Vichaya Ruenjaiman

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Macrophage plasticity is a process that allows macrophages to switch between two opposing phenotypes based on differential stimuli. Functional plasticity of macrophages contributes to disease pathogenesis such as cancer, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases and systemic infections. Epigenetics plays an important role in regulating this process. Macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (M(LPS)) produce high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-12, TNFα and IL-6 and low level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, while macrophages stimulated with LPS in the presence of immune complex (IC) (M(IC)) produce high level of IL-10 and low level of IL-12. In this study, we investigated the plasticity …

Detection Of Flagellated Protozoa Belonging To The Trypanosomatidae Family In Sand Flies Collected From Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand, Komson Chinwirunsirisup

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Autochthonous leishmaniasis cases in Thailand are increasing dramatically, the disease is caused by two major of Leishmania species; L. orientalis and L. martiniquensis. Leishmaniasis is transmitted to the vertebrate hosts through the bite of the infected female sand fly. Moreover, other trypanosomatid protozoa have also been reported in this insect vector. In 2016, Trypanosoma sp. has been detected in sand fly from Songkhla province, where the leishmaniasis case has been reported. The aims of this study are to investigate the potential vectors of trypanosomatids in this area using morphological and molecular identification based on the Cytb gene. The parasites were …

Phosphoproteomic Analysis Of Fc Gamma Receptor Iib Deficient Macrophages In Enhancing The Severity Of Endotoxin Tolerance, Thunnicha Ondee

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Sepsis is a severe response to systemic infection and one of the leading causes of death in patients world-wide. Bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS), is a potent inducer of inflammation that has been associated with the pathophysiology of sepsis. The repeated LPS exposure can induce a suppressive effect as refer to endotoxin tolerance. Fc gamma receptor IIb (CD32b), the only inhibitory receptor among FcGR family, associates with systemic lupus erythematosus (FcGRIIb defunctioning polymorphisms) which are commonly found in Asian populations. Because of an inhibitory nature of the signaling, endotoxin tolerance in lupus with FcGRIIb deficient (FcGRIIb-/-) is interesting and might be …